Zero Footprint Week

November 23-29th is Zero Footprint Week, which is an initiative of the One at a Time Foundation. It is an educational week of awareness that is aimed at helping individuals reduce their carbon footprint.

Going Zero is a big ask, and hard to achieve, but by having a look at the simple things we can do as individuals and as a community, we can reduce our footprint.

The One at a time Foundations site states;

“With the federal government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme due to take effect in 2010, Zero Footprint Week is an opportunity for individuals, businesses and communities to reduce their ecological footprint before the scheme’s fees are introduced.

Founder and Director of One At a Time Foundation, Amanda Little said, “Zero Footprint Week is a great forum for businesses and community groups to showcase their green initiatives, and aims to provide simple, practical information on how we can reduce our ecological footprint, one easy step at a time.”

About One at a TimeThe One at a Time Foundation is an independent, entrepreneurial, not for profit organisation dedicated to fostering change to reduce and halt global warming. “

So in the spirit of the event, I will posting each day starting from tomorrow, with a post about each focus area.

I invite other bloggers to join in. The more the merrier I reckon!

Now, if you are thinking that “Hey, I never heard of this mob”, well I had a lengthy email conversation with Dan, who works for Edelman. Edelman is a communications agency, that does pro bono work for One at a Time Foundation

Here is my initial response to his email and his follow up. I believe that these people are passionate about making a difference, so therefore my involvement in the event.

Hi Dan,

Looks like a good initiative. Can you tell me what sort of advertising campaign is going to be run for ZFW? What sort of media types do you intend to cover.

I am interested, but I am not sure if I will cover the event. You need to convince me Dan that this is not just a PR company with a flash website trying to make a buck for some anonymous client.

I want to see the passion. Want to know that your company Edelman have green policies like energy efficiency, a green car fleet, a green incentive program for your employees etc.

Don’t get me wrong, I love a green cause and ZFW sounds good, but without evidence, it could all be smoke and mirrors.

Regards,

Gavin

Hi Gavin, Thanks for your email and sorry for my late reply, but handling my master-thesis, working for two green not-for-profits and also for Edelman is quite time consuming sometimes 🙂

Yes, ZFW is a great week, and this is not only my professional opinion but my very personal one. I’ve tried to support green initiatives for years now. In Germany (where I’m from) I worked for the renewable energy field to push the establishment of offshore wind energy structures in Germany, last year I went to the States and worked for the Green Ambassadors, a green initiative to make pupils and kids more aware of how to act more conscious with our earth and here in Australia I work also mostly in the environmental field.

I totally see your point, as the sender of the email is a PR agency. But please let me share with you, that Edelman does this work pro bono. That means, I don’t get paid for this work. And Edelman also doesn’t get paid for this work. Amanda Little, our Acting Managing Director, founded the environmental not-for-profit One at a Time Foundation, before she joined Edelman.

We try to raise attention for ZFW nation-wide. We want to encourage Australians to take simple steps to measure and reduce their impact on the environment, to make them aware that they also can save money, and to make Australian aware that they also help to halt climate change by reducing their ecological footprint. For this, we try not only to get the newspaper’s attention, but we decided to also inform environmental bloggers like you in hope that you spread the word as well.

Gavin, I hope you see that this is really passion-driven. And all the people that work for One at a Time are environmental conscious. Me for example, I don’t have a car, try to commute only with my bicycle, don’t buy to-go stuff, shop only locally, we grow our own food in the backyard, no plastic bags of course, try to use as less electricity as possible and so on.

if you have any further questions just write me an email. Cheers,

Dan

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About Gavin Webber

Gavin Webber's daily goal is to live a more sustainable lifestyle, in an effort to reduce his family's environmental footprint so we can all make a difference for our children & future generations to come.

i think this is also great to show how easy it is to reduce the footprint by easy steps. i wish there would be more initiatives like zero footprint week to make people conscious about their impact on the environment.

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About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

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Podcast Reviews

Always inspiring and entertaining!

August 4, 2016 by floriographer from Australia

I've crowed about Gavin's podcast before but I just have to recommend it once again - I love that he shares his learning as well as his successes - it helps the rest of us try try try again! Thanks Gavin!

ms

July 22, 2016 by Ketaea12 from New Zealand

I really enjoy listening to Gavin, he has a kind lovely voice. He covers some great relevant topics for the everyday greenie. With lots of tips or how to or what not to do.
Thanks Gavin, love it!!

Well worth your time to tune in

October 23, 2015 by A Vision Splendid from Australia

I can highly recommend Gavin’s podcast !
I have followed Gavin’s blog since the very beginning and have loved to see his journey unfold. Gavin has a lovely speaking voice so this podcast is always very easy to listen to.
Gavin has a very authentic approach to his green living lifestyle. He shares the ups and downs but always provides motivation and practical steps that we can all implement.

very good

June 28, 2015 by Scared pax from United Kingdom

This is a great podcast if you want to improve your life in so many aspects and become a more sustainable person. I love the soothing voice, the good pace, and it contains lots of useful information. Recommended!

opened my eyes

May 25, 2015 by Gorn4lyfe from Australia

A wonderful show!

Inspiring

April 30, 2015 by Alan Whelan from Ireland

This is a great podcast if you're looking for practical info on saving money by living more sustainably from someone who's made that journey over the last few years. Told in a nice, easy conversational style

Green Living, inspiring and practical

January 8, 2015 by EliseMac from Australia

Thanks Gav for sharing what has (and hasn't) worked along your journey for living a greener lifestyle. Inspiring and achievable for anyone, I look forward to this podcast weekly.

Local food equals less waste

December 27, 2014 by allotmentadventureswithjean from Australia

Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

Honestly australian

December 15, 2014 by HodgepodgeOz from Australia

Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

Morning motivation

December 8, 2014 by Bunnyworm from Australia

Gavin has a great passion for living this greener lifestyle that motivates others to do the same. The podcasts are always interesting and informative. :)

Passionate Advocate

October 18, 2014 by BoomOpGirl from Australia

Gavin's enthusiasm and passion for creating a more sustainable world is nothing short of contagious. Thanks Gav, you are my weekly source of motivation for living a sustainable life! :)

Gavin speaks from the heart

October 13, 2014 by Green gavin from Australia

Gavin's podcasts are required listening for anyone planning to live a more sustainable life. He doesn't preach, but tells you his story from the heart. You'll laugh, smile, share in his concerns and along the way you'll pick up some great tips on living a simple life.

Green thoughts, so well iterated

October 9, 2014 by Kwasikwami from Australia

This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

Easy listening inspiration on being green

September 24, 2014 by Broomedy from Australia

Gav knows how to share his journey to a more sustainable life in a manner that shows just how easy it really is. Not to mention healthier, economically beneficial and generally rewarding. The podcasts are an easy way to absorb Gav's great lifestyle. I recommend to anyone.

Thanks Gavin!

August 31, 2014 by Honeywoodmilk from Australia

Great practical advice for a greener lifestyle. This podcast is for anybody interested in growing their own food in suburbia, saving electricity, brewing beer, making cheese, all that wonderful business and most of all, saving money! Thanks Gavin, love the podcast mate!

Enjoyed those ideas for staying warm

August 15, 2014 by enduringdragon from United States

Like you we are having winter here in Chile—brrr! Every bit we can save on heating we will.

Green Podcasts

July 26, 2014 by Carneu from Australia

Excellent podcasts, which are full of information to help get started on a sustainable lifestyle.

Practical ideas and inspiration

July 19, 2014 by HeathrowHeath from Australia

I highly recommend Gavin's podcast and blog. Down to earth, entertaining and inspirational. Thank you.

Interesting & easy to listen to

April 27, 2014 by Velocity3 from New Zealand

Gavin & his guests make this green journey lots of fun.

Great green listen

April 18, 2014 by Obscurenickname from Australia

Gavin is a great down to earth, tell it like it is aussie with a passion for sustainability and growing food and making cheese